Jungle Paradise - Gym in Udawalawa, Sri Lanka

Jungle Paradise, as the name suggests is a quaint boutique lodge style accommodation in the Uduwalawe area. The location is perfectly quiet and peaceful, tucked away a few minutes from the national park. There are a couple 2 bed apartments and the rest are cottages with decks overlooking the jungle. All rooms come with large beds, mosquito nets and tea/coffee. Unfortunately, no hand towels, but that's hardly an issue. Chanuka and the crew were wonderful and waking up to the sounds of the forest early in the morning for the sunrise safari was the highlight of this trip. The in house restaurant has a diverse menu and the breakfast options though limited, the quantity makes up for it. A perfect stop for doing the safari at the NP.

The Hotel Jungle Paradise in Uda Walawe is an absolute hidden gem! Its location in the heart of nature is simply breathtaking and offers pure relaxation. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive - we felt welcome from the very first moment. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and tastefully decorated. I was especially impressed by the close proximity to the national park, making it perfect for unforgettable safari experiences. I would definitely come back anytime!

We stayed 9 nights and it was unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with cold drinks and towels after a very long journey. The staff here are beyond amazing: Chanuka, Chathura, Anula, Lasa, the singing chefs! and the whole team made us feel at home within days. Chathura said on day one that by day three we'd feel like family and he was right! Everyone was always smiling, friendly, professional, and warm, going above and beyond to make our stay comfortable. Nothing was ever too much trouble: if we were leaving early, someone would be up preparing a coffee and lunch for us to take with us, and the staff were great helping sort comfortable transport and guides. Special thanks to Madu (boss man) our main driver for being so kind, helpful, and welcoming throughout our trips. The food was consistently delicious, fresh, local, and generous portions. Vegan options were excellent - the veg curry and rice, soups, and fresh fruit juices were all highlights. The location is perfect, you are properly in the jungle. Peacocks flying over the pool, giant squirrels in the trees, bats at dusk, loads of cool insects. The hotel provided bug spray and advised keeping doors closed at sunset which was helpful. Udawalawe town is only about a 10-minute ride away and felt authentically Sri Lankan. Good for snacks, local shops, and soaking up the culture without being touristy. All the other sights we wanted to see (Ella, Tangalle, Sinharaja Forest) were within 30 minutes to 2.5 hours by car. Our room was immaculate, a huge wet room, great shower, towels, TV, fridge, kettle, tea and coffee, mosquito nets, and extra bowls and cutlery on request no problem. Charlie, Ruby, Socks, and Kitty the hotel dogs and cats made us feel at home and stopped us missing our own pets too much. The gardens were beautifully kept by Anula, her calm and kind nature was infectious. We also had the absolute pleasure of going on a safari in Udawalawe National Park with Lasa. We were a bit apprehensive before we arrived for ethical reasons, but Lasa's knowledge, respect for the animals, and careful approach (avoiding other jeeps etc.) made the experience truly special. His love for nature shines through. Every little gesture, every kind word, and all the attention to detail made our stay extraordinary. We left with genuine friendships and memories we'll carry forever. Thank you so much to everyone at Jungle Paradise for making our trip so magical.

Beautiful rooms with a terrace and a lovely view into the greenery. Excellent coffee and a very good dinner. There is also a clean and well-maintained pool. The safari was a highlight, especially with our guide Lassa, who explained everything in great detail and even spoke a few words of German, which was a nice touch. One small point for improvement: during the safari, the vehicle got very close to the elephants (around 30 cm), which felt a bit too close in my opinion. Overall, however, a great experience and highly recommended.

One of my favourite hotels during our time in Sri Lanka. The staff were very accommodating throughout our stay. The location is very remote, however from what I understand, there isn't much to see in Udawalawe outside of the safari. The food here was incredible. Nice authentic Sri Lankan food, huge portions. The rooms were massive, very comfortable beds and we even managed to sit on the balcony and spot fireflies at night. Would highly recommend this hotel if you are heading to Udawalawe for safari - Which we booked through the hotel and was amazing!